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Top Erik Cernak News
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Practices Thursday
Cernak (concussion) was on the ice for Thursday's practice to begin Tampa Bay's training camp, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Cernak was sidelined by a concussion in the first round of last year's playoffs, missing the final five games of the Lightning's six-game series loss. The 26-year-old defenseman is no stranger to injuries, but it appears he's healthy to begin training camp. He had 16 points, 209 hits, 100 blocked shots and 87 shots on goal in a career-high 70 games last season, playing in a top-four role as a defensive specialist.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing Saturday
Cernak (upper body) won't play Saturday in Game 6 versus Toronto, Kristie Achert of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak was injured in Game 1 courtesy of a Michael Bunting elbow to the face. Bunting was given a three-game suspension for his misdeed. Zach Bogosian will likely continue to take Cernak's spot in the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing in Game 5
Cernak (upper body) won't be in the lineup for Game 5 against Toronto on Thursday, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Cernak will miss his fourth consecutive contest after getting injured in Tampa Bay's playoff opener April 18. He was credited with three blocked shots and posted two PIM in Game 1 prior to getting injured. As a result of Cernak's absence, Zach Bogosian will likely remain in the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Monday
Cernak (upper body) won't play Monday in Game 4 against Toronto, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak will miss his third consecutive contest after getting injured in Tuesday's playoff opener. He produced 16 points, 100 blocked shots and 209 hits in 70 games during the regular season. Zach Bogosian has been suiting up for the Lightning during Cernak's absence.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not practicing Saturday
Cernak (upper body) is not at practice Saturday, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Cernak missed Game 2 after taking an elbow to the face in Game 1 on Tuesday, courtesy of Michael Bunting. Bunting received a three-game suspension for his misdeed. The Lightning are expected to be without Cernak for Game 3, with Zach Bogosian once again drawing into the lineup as a third-pairing defenseman.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play in Game 2
Cernak (upper body) won't play in Thursday's Game 2 versus Toronto, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
With Cernak still feeling the effects of the high hit he took from Toronto's Michael Bunting during Tuesday's Game 1, look for Zach Bogosian or Haydn Fleury to enter the lineup Thursday. Check back for another update on Cernak's status prior to Saturday's Game 3.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Exits after high hit
Cernak (upper body) left Tuesday's Game 1 versus the Maple Leafs after a hit from Michael Bunting, Terry Koshan of The Toronto Sun reports.
Bunting was given a match penalty on the play, while Cernak was unable to return. The 25-year-old Cernak has missed short stretches of time on multiple occasions this season. It's unclear if he'll be available to suit up for Thursday's Game 2.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Expected to play Saturday
Cernak (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Saturday versus the Senators, Gabby Shirley of Bally Sports Florida reports.
Cernak will return after a one-game absence. He should fill his usual top-four role and serve as a defensive presence for the Lightning as they look to finish the season strong.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Unavailable for Thursday's game
Cernak (undisclosed) won't play Thursday versus the Islanders, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak joins Brandon Hagel (lower body) and Anthony Cirelli (lower body) as players out of the lineup for this contest. Mikey Eyssimont, Haydn Fleury and Zach Bogosian will step into the lineup for the injured trio of Bolts, with the team using seven defensemen for Thursday's game.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Cleared to return Tuesday
Cernak (lower body) will be back in action versus the Flyers on Tuesday, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak rejoining the lineup will be marred by the fact that Victor Hedman (undisclosed) won't be suiting up in Tuesday's tilt. Considering the 25-year-old Cernak has just one point in his last 14 contests, he shouldn't be expected to offer much in the way of offensive upside, limiting his fantasy value to formats that utilize defensive stats.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Not playing Saturday
Cernak (lower body) will not play Saturday in Buffalo, per the NHL media site.
Cernak took part in warmups but ultimately needs another day to recover. Darren Raddysh replaced Cernak on the Lightning blue line. Cernak has one goal, 10 assists, 166 hits and 81 blocked shots in 53 games this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Won't play Sunday
Cernak (lower body) won't play Sunday against Carolina, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Cernak also sat out Saturday's 5-3 loss to Buffalo after getting injured Thursday versus Pittsburgh. Haydn Fleury will be in the lineup instead Sunday against the Hurricanes.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Can't finish contest
Cernak (undisclosed) left Thursday's game versus the Penguins in the second period and did not return, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Head coach Jon Cooper didn't provide an update on Cernak's status after the contest. The 25-year-old defenseman should be considered day-to-day ahead of Saturday's road game in Buffalo. If he can't play, Zach Bogosian would likely rejoin the lineup.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Eligible to play Tuesday
Cernak has served his two-game suspension and will be available versus Florida on Tuesday.
Cernak hasn't scored a goal since Dec. 13 versus Seattle, a stretch of 27 contests during which he's garnered six assists, 36 shots and 81 hits. The 25-year-old blueliner has never reached the 20-point threshold in his five-year NHL career and is unlikely to do so again this season with just 11 points in 51 games.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Gets two-game suspension
Cernak received a two-game suspension Friday as punishment for elbowing Buffalo's Kyle Okposo during Thursday's game.
Cernak has a goal, 11 points, 164 hits and 78 blocks in 51 contests while averaging 19:20 of ice time this season. With him ineligible to play, Cal Foote might draw into the lineup Saturday versus Detroit after serving as a healthy scratch in Tampa Bay's previous two contests. Cernak will also be forced to miss Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, but the 25-year-old can play Tuesday versus Florida.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Could face suspension
Cernak will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Friday after elbowing the Sabres' Kyle Okposo on Thursday.
Cernak was not assessed a penalty at the time and finished the contest with an assist and a plus-one rating in 19:34 of action. Cernak has a goal and 11 points with 164 hits and 78 blocks in 51 games this season.
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Lightning's Erik Cernak: Good to go
Cernak (upper body) will return to the lineup Tuesday against Anaheim, Chris Krenn of the Lightning's official site reports.
Cernak has accumulated 10 points, 54 shots on goal, 77 blocks and 156 hits in 49 contests this campaign. He is projected to be back alongside Mikhail Sergachev following a two-game absence.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-3, 230 lbs |
| Birthplace: Kosice, Slovakia |
| Age: 26 |
| Experience: 5 |
| Shoots: Right |